Stay in a log cabin

Eight Finnish-style log cabins, sleeping two to four people, were built earlier this year in the 100-acre grounds of the Raven Hall hotel, in Ravenscar, North Yorkshire (01723 870353, www.ravenhall.co.uk) Inside they are more city penthouse flat than wilderness lodge, with deep red or boldly patterned walls and retro Bond-villain-style armchairs in front of giant plasma TVs. But the setting is wild enough – overlooking Robin Hood's Bay and the North Yorkshire Moors (the hotel is sited within the National Park). Lodges cost from £125 to £165 per night for a weekend.

Ice-climbing

You can tackle gully features and much else on the vast ice wall at Ice Factor near Glencoe in Scotland – the biggest indoor ice-climbing facility in the world. Three-hour "Hit the Ice" introductory ice-climbing courses are held four times a week and cost £45 per person (01855 831100, www.ice-factor.co.uk)

Snow-holing

Related Articles

If you really want to pit yourself against the elements, Mountain Innovations runs snow-holing expeditions in the Cairngorm Mountains from January to March. Groups first learn how to use ice-axes and crampons, then trek up into the mountains to dig a communal snow hole where they hunker down, cook supper and spend the night. It's very peaceful, but pack your thermals. Three-day trips from £360 per person (01479 831331, www.scotmountain.co.uk)

Indoor skiing

Old-style dry ski slopes were never very satisfactory – hard to land on and covered with thumb-wrenching mesh. But it's a different story at Chill Factor, near Manchester, which opened last year with an 180-metre indoor slope covered in real (well, manufactured) snow. Ninety-minute sessions cost from £19 adult, £14 children and students; lessons are also available (0161 749 2222, www.chillfactore.com) Other indoor "snow" slopes include the Xscape centres at Castleford, Braehead and Milton Keynes (www.xscape.co.uk)

Feed a reindeer

Visit Britain's only herd of reindeer at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Glenmore near Aviemore (01479 861228, www.reindeer-company.demdon.co.uk). The centre runs daily guided visits to the reindeer enclosure in the nearby hills, where visitors can feed and pet the animals. It's a 20-minute trek to the enclosure (wear wellies or walking boots), but if this is too strenuous, a few reindeer are kept in a paddock down at the centre. Hill visits usually depart at 11am and 2.30pm daily, but ring in advance to check. Adults £9, children £4.50, paddock visits £2.50.

Cross-country skiing

A mile-long undulating synthetic ski trail winds through the grounds of Stockeld Park near Wetherby, North Yorkshire – part of the Christmas Adventure attraction there that also includes an ice-rink and an atmospheric Enchanted Wood. Boot and ski hire included in the cost of £8.50 adult, £6.50 child (01937 586333, www.thechristmasadventure.com)

Christmas markets

The ultimate antidote to overheated, overcrowded shopping malls, festive outdoor markets with stalls selling crafts, foodie treats and mulled wine are springing up in some of Britain's most attractive cities this winter. Bath Christmas Market (pictured above) runs from next Thursday to December 7, with 120 stalls close to the Abbey and Roman Baths (www.visitbath.co.uk) Winchester's Bavarian-style market will be held beside the ice rink in the Cathedral close from next Thursday until December 14 (01962 840500, www.visitwinchester.co.uk) Bury St Edmunds will hold a Victorian-style market in the Angel Hill area from next Friday until Sunday (www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk)

Drink in an ice bar

At the Absolut Ice Bar in Heddon Street, London W1, the temperature doesn't get much above minus 5C – and everything is made of ice: walls, bar, tables and glasses. To stop it all getting a bit soggy, the interior is rebuilt every six months. Entry costs from £12.50 to £23 per person for 40 minutes and includes the use of a cape and gloves – as well as your first ice-glass cocktail (020 7478 8910, www.belowzerolondon.com)